Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Research Paper

One of the most serious diseases that can spread in this manner is the Crawfish Plague, more prevalent among North American species. However, the North American species are simply carriers of the disease. This disease is caused by a fungus that is lethal to other types of crawfish including Australian and Eurasian. Therefore, avoid putting crawfish from different continents or regions in the same container. On the same breath, avoid sharing equipment such as nuts and buckets when working with different types of crawfish.

In order to reduce the risk of contracting this microorganism, individual shouldn’t eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. Cook them before eating, always wash your hands with soap and water after handing raw shellfish and avoid contaminating cooked shellfish with raw shellfish and its juices, stay out of brackish or salt water if you have a wound .If you develop a skin infection, tell your medical provider if your skin has come into contact with brackish or salt water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices. (CDC,

Schwan’s Sales Enterprise had the largest foodborne illness outbreak in history in Marshall, Minnesota around 1994 (Rubenstein, 1998). Cliff Viessman, a tanker truck operator transported a shipment of raw eggs that may have been infected with salmonella bacteria. The suspected contamination was unknown to Viessman’s employees. A foodborne illness is an infection or irritation of the gastrointestinal that caused by food or beverages that contain harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses, or chemicals. The company truck was parked and pressure washed to eliminate the bacteria. The next assignment was to transport ice cream mix to the Schwan’s plant (Rubenstein, 1998). Schwan’s company heard about the bacteria that may have affected their product and

There are many destructive ways that the Florida red tide harms the living things along the Gulf Coast. Documented evidence in the past decade indicates that Karenia brevis red tide blooms exposures of brevetoxins were responsible for massive deaths among sea mammals, fishes, birds and sea turtles. These poisonous chemicals transferred through the food chain and all

Studies have repeatedly shown that as oxygen concentrations decrease, the abundance and diversity of fish decrease (Breitburg). Fish kills, in which large numbers of dead and dying fish float to the surface or wash onto shore, are probably the most dramatic and publicly visible manifestation of hypoxia and nutrient over-enrichment of coastal waters(Breitburg). In addition to mass mortalities that are easily observed, high mortality of fish lacking a swim bladder can occur leaving little or no visible evidence of fish at the surface or littering beaches (Breitburg). With no fish, shrimp, or crabs the Louisiana fishing market takes a huge hit that the economy feels in a major way. The gulf accounts for almost one-fifth of the countries fishing landings, which total to be three billion dollars (Petrolia). Fishing is not only a major part of Louisiana’s economy but also its culture. Without wildlife in our waters microorganism are given more opportunity to grow leading to bacteria infected waters. These bacteria infected waters could cause major health risks for those who come in contact with

Scientists have studied the impact of water borne pathogens over time. Just how dependent human life is on the waterways is one such question which arises. The study involves the effect of such pathogens on human life. This study was narrowed down to the area of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay each weekend is occupied for recreational use. Such activities as swimming, fishing, and body surfing are common place. Normally each year thousands of pounds of seafood are distributed from out of the bay. There is a vast amount of people who come to visit the area each year.

The main intention of this experiment is to distinguish whether the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) has effects on Atlantic Croaker fish. Samples from Atlantic Croaker were taken from both tributaries, one being a Bisphenol A (BPA) free tributary, and the other being filled with Bisphenol A (BPA). In which data was recorded, analyzed, and had astonishing results. The results displayed that when the female Atlantic Croaker hepatic system were exposed to high dosages of Bisphenol A they showed physical abnormalities

Sea life can mistake plastic, inedible, objects for food. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jelly fish, which is one of their favorite foods, and quickly die (Geographic). Resin pellets, which are used to make just about anything plastic, are often mistaken for food, especially due to the resemblance with fish eggs. Ingesting hard plastics can easily become lodged in an animal’s intestines or stomach and cause a slow and painful death. These marine animals do not know better than to eat what looks like food, it is not their responsibility to avoid the garbage.

Effects on the local Great Lake biosphere have accumulations of toxins within the food chain. For instance, fish. Consuming a large amount of fish exposed to these toxic chemicals can expose you to DDT, dioxin, and PCVs, these chemicals are known for being carcinogenic, and can cause neurological disorders and a weakened immune system. Being exposed to the Water by swimming can also cause immune problems if swallowed. These chemicals also are known for causing skin cancer if exposed to the external body.

Oxygen depletion will create stress which can take years to recover. These HABs can also suppress mammalian immune functions which results in mass mortalities of dolphins and manatees. This can be seen by a significant reduction in manatee lymphocytes in cell culture that are exposed to these toxins. With all of this evidence of the negative impacts of these toxins, it shows the need to recognize these biotoxins as significant stressors within south-west Florida coastal ecosystems.

The article details the effects of the toxins on California sea lions, based on a study consisting of scanning 30 of the sea lions’ brains. The scan picked up damage to the hippocampus, which is a part of the brain mainly associated with navigation and the formation of memories. Due to the damage, the hippocampus and the thalamus (the part of the brain associated with motor skills and sensory cues) cannot fully communicate with one another, which makes it harder for the sea lions to find food and escape from predators.

This red tide outbreak affects anyone and everyone who enjoys a day at the beach as well as Florida's marine life. If severe enough, it may negatively impact tourism in the area, thus denting Florida's tourist-dependent economy. In addition to targeting the local tourism industry, the seafood industry may suffer as well, as fish caught during red tide are typically inedible. If eaten, the infected organisms can pass along illnesses to those who consume them. As far as sewage exasperating the problem, it is important for the companies responsible to recognize and solve the issue, finding alternate ways to dispose of wastes.

One particular bloom in the summer of 2014 was of poisonous algae which produced the toxin microcystin – consumption of which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and even liver failure – that had formed in an area of Lake Erie used for the city of Toledo’s drinking water (Wines, 2014). The city issued a notice to the approximate 500,000 citizens using that water informing them not to drink it, even after boiling. The ban took two days to lift, impacting the ability of those citizens to get fresh drinking water during that time.

There are other common sources of cholera bacterium are surface or well water, seafood, raw fruits and vegetables, and grains. In water, Vibrio cholerae can survive for long periods of time, staying dormant. People in areas with poor sanitation, like crowded refugee camps, are at risk of cholera, due to the fact that water provided for said community could be a source of contamination of cholera bacteria. Seafood, when raw or undercooked, can be contaminated by cholera bacteria, if the seafood came from certain areas with contaminated waters. Since the 1970s, cholera outbreaks in the U.S. have been caused by smuggled seafood from cholera-infected areas, and from the Gulf of Mexico. Shellfish are especially contaminated, due to the fact that “they filter large amounts of water, concentrating the levels of cholera bacteria”. Raw fruits—especially unpeeled—and vegetables coming from an area with a source of cholera are another frequent source of the cholera bacteria. Innoculation of the fruits

Common illnesses that can occur are salmonella and trichinosis poisoning resulting from improper handling of chicken, eggs or pork (Jardin, 2009, para.2). Diseases such as: campylobacteriosis, cholera, and listeriosis also make the list of illnesses (Jardin, 2009, para.1). These diseases are the versions of food poisoning, which can be life-threatening. According to the World of Health article published in 2007,